We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful CHRISTINA SICOLI. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with CHRISTINA below.
Alright, CHRISTINA thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My most meaningful projects are commissioned pieces. It’s an opportunity for me to connect with my client on a deeper, more creative, and playful level. They trust me with their vision, and to honor them I would never go away with my own ideas, have a one-sentence conversation, or even a quick phone chat. Instead, we develop a creative partnership to bring the canvas to life. I consider it a custom story. We discuss color palettes, space, images, sensations, and musicality in regard to the movement of the painting. If it makes sense, I’ll personally visit the space and get an idea as to how they want to feel with the piece in a specific room, how they want guests to experience it for the first time viewing it, and so on. This guides me in creating their vision in an interactive way. Your mood changes, so ultimately you want a work of art to light up especially if you’re passing it every day. I want them to notice something different with each passing. My very first commissioned piece was around 9 feet tall. My dining room turned into my art studio as it was the only room to fit the piece from floor to ceiling. It was daunting and exciting to work on since it was for a specific space in my client’s home. We had a few Facetime sessions to check in with the direction of the piece, if there were changes I would rework it. The lighting was important in how it accentuated the overall piece. I would wake up at all hours of the night and think about images and details and dart out of bed and paint. I remember one time it was around 2 am and I couldn’t sleep so I painted. As a creative, there’s never really an “I’m done for the day” moment. My mind is constantly in motion with ideas and when something comes to fruition I have to write it down or visualize it. I admit, I have a difficult time turning it off. When the piece was delivered and the unraveling began, it was amazing to see the smiles on their face. I love the effect that art has on people. Most importantly it makes them happy and I enjoy developing this artistic relationship. It’s the best feeling. It’s a creative high.
CHRISTINA, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Christina Sicoli, I’m an award-winning actress, comedienne, writer, visual artist, and movement teacher based in Vancouver, Canada. Let’s just call me a “creative creature”. I was always involved in the arts as a child. Whether it was dancing, playing the piano, or painting and drawing I embraced my love for all things “artistic”. I even made “Fimo” jewelry that was sold in a little shop (I guess cow and pig earrings were “in” back in the day). I took private oil painting lessons to hone my skills while in my teens and continued in high school (although I wasn’t a fan of being graded when it’s subjective and so personal c’est la vie!) I believe if you want to create art. Just create art. Do it. Whether you’re a gardener, florist, or trying to figure it all out. Do something. We are all creative in some way or another. For me, I create because it fuels my soul. It grounds me and offers a meditative offering to my physical, and mental well-being. Artistically, I feel like a lot of my learning is intuitive. I love taking workshops and classes in different mediums to sharpen my skills and challenge myself. Trial and error and rework. It allows me to explore what I really connect with and thrive on, and I discover what I don’t resonate with. It helps me narrow down practices and live in new experiences. Although I had dreams of going to art school, I opted for theatre school. Visual art was in constant pursuit in the background. I still fantasize about art school, who knows… maybe one day. Nonetheless, I strongly believe my disciplines go hand in hand. Whether performing on camera or the stage, moving my body in space, or my hands on the canvas, I’m forever exploring various playgrounds of creativity. They stretch me as an artist. It’s the thread in all aspects of my work. I’ve never seen myself as one entity, but more multifaceted.
When I first put out my work for fun I was gratefully surprised at the number of people who inquired about commissions. I trusted myself to ride the waves and jump in. With my business, I create small to large-scale paper and canvas pieces. I don’t limit myself to how small or how large, and I encourage an element of play in everything I do. I want my artistic offerings to be flexible to client’s needs. I design cards and objects for your home and body made out of resin. Rainbows that add a pop of color to your space or rings that add some art to your fingers. I offer film + TV rentals. Some works have been featured in “Good Trouble” (HULU), and on Hallmark. As mentioned previously, I offer commission services and also have an online shop. The mediums I work with most are acrylic, oils, pastels, graphite, watercolor, pencil, and resin all in abstract form. I like to solve problems for clients who may feel limited by their space or decor. I don’t want this to hinder an opportunity to create something for them. Once I helped with an unwanted light box in my client’s entranceway by creating a custom-framed canvas to hide the display. First, try, it didn’t quite fit, so I hired someone to install it for them properly with the tools needed. I think what sets me apart from others is my background and experience in the arts. As a comedian, actress, writer, movement teacher, and visual artist it’s an eclectic background that I have access to. These different parts of me are constantly interchanging and I can access these various skills in a non-literal way. I believe I have a strong ability to see things from very different perspectives and can offer an out-of-the-box insight when exploring angles, color in space, the movement of shapes, observations in the details, and how to incorporate a lifestyle in the work. I like to surprise myself and strongly encourage others to entertain an idea they may shy away from. Energy is so important. What I am most proud of is having the discipline, skillset, and drive to be a versatile artist. I’m honest with myself in saying “No” to the opportunities that don’t fulfill or serve me in any way. When my energetic boundaries don’t feel healthy, or I have an adverse reaction to something, Then I know it’s not the right opportunity for me. I feel better knowing I stuck to my gut and set a new boundary. This ultimately helps me with the clarity I need to move forward. Humor, integrity, transparency, and professionalism are important to me in a working relationship. I’m not a fan of someone telling me that I “can’t” do something, or waiting around for someone to tell me when I “can” do something. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. I try to create as many opportunities and healthy relationships in my life for a positive and “Yes” mentality or working together. I like to be an elastic band…even when I break, I find another way to stretch. and move forward. Or as my friends often quote me as saying “moveon.com“.
The main thing I want potential clients to know is that I LOVE collaboration. It’s my favorite. In the past, I’ve collaborated with the Lululemon SeaWheeze marathon in designing pieces from leftover rolls of material to act as decorative hangings from the scaffolds. With a limited budget, and access to their material, it wet my pallet in wanting to join forces with individuals or brands on a larger scale. Whether you’re a designer, shop or restaurant owner or an individual who wants a custom piece for their space, I would love to have the opportunity to travel and create in different spaces on a larger scale. Definitely a goal of mine.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting lost in the “work”, embracing it as a meditative practice, and offering an artistic experience for others. It’s beyond fulfilling to make a human FEEL something through art and performance. Whether it’s tickling their funny bone, wetting their tear ducts, creating a musically driven playlist for a physical experience, or watching their grin widen and eyes pop because they’ve received a piece that was something more than they expected. I thrive on the sensory experience. I thrive on a laughing crowd. When the butterflies flutter, when I’m doing what I love the most, and when I’m flying around and exploring in my element it’s when I’m in full alignment. On the day-to-day creating, playing, and surprising myself excites me. My process is ever-evolving, so if I’m not in a consistent flow because life gets in the way I get a little anxious. I try to encourage myself to not look at it as a setback but as more of a chance to navigate a different flow of energy and practice. Embrace the “time out” for space to reflect, create different opportunities, connect with other creatives, and soak in that human observation. It’s knowledge for another artistic experience.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think what non-creatives often struggle to understand about my journey as a creative is the non-traditional way of pursuing life. The times of instability or lack of work may be hard to swallow. But it often turns around, ebbs, and flows. Personally. the ability to have the freedom to carve my own opportunities and cheerlead other creatives is invaluable. And unbeknown, there IS power in the ability to generate new pathways of adventure with a skill set that is quite broad and unique. Artists can live successfully. Being creative allows me to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas and solutions to problems as opposed to sticking to a traditional (and sometimes boring way) of doing things. Of course, I have moments of, “What the heck am I doing?” and it is stressful at times but What job isn’t? This is all I know. I’ve never had a 9-5 job (mostly because I’m not a fan of the potlucks) Are there potlucks? I’m also grateful for the flexibility I have with my schedule and am pretty disciplined in my everyday work life. Regardless of the “this is how it’s done” mentality, being creative is an important asset as it builds more positive circumstances. It’s a strong advantage for any organization or business that wants the creative type. I think it’s about being bold and stepping into the truth of who you are and what you have to offer despite a “piece of paper” that may hold you back (within reason). If you’re given the chance to be mentored or shadow someone you respect in your field or similar field, you can learn and develop a unique way of observing and working. I think the key is to not get in the way of yourself. Introducing unique ideas or offerings allows for a richer experience and makes the overall work environment less stagnant. It opens new doors and encourages someone to take a chance or pique their interest in you. It would be nice for people to take more chances on others. We’re constantly evolving and discovering. New ideas allow for a richer experience. You can play it safe, repeat the past, or flex your imagination and creative spirit for something new.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christina-sicoli.com
- Instagram: @sicoli @christinasicoliartist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-sicoli-371ab6b4/
- Twitter: @sicolio
Image Credits
J ROMA PHOTOGRAPHY